2021 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerStephen M. Ross
General managerChris Grier
Head coachBrian Flores
Home fieldHard Rock Stadium
Results
Record9–8
Division place3rd AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersCB Xavien Howard
Uniform

The 2021 season was the Miami Dolphins' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 56th overall, and their third and final year under head coach Brian Flores, and sixth under general manager Chris Grier. Despite a 1–7 start to the season, Miami then won the next seven games, becoming the first team in NFL history to lose seven straight games and then win seven straight games in the same season. The 7-game win streak was their first since the 1985 season. They also became the sixth team in NFL history to win four or more consecutive games after losing seven in a row, after the 2009 Cleveland Browns, 1994 New York Giants, 1993 New England Patriots, 1984 Green Bay Packers, and the 1978 St. Louis Cardinals.[1] However the Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year after their win streak ended in Week 17 to the Tennessee Titans, combined with a win by the Los Angeles Chargers.[2]

Some highlights from the season included head coach Brian Flores becoming the first Dolphins coach since Don Shula to beat the Patriots multiple times in New England, Miami's first wins over the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints since 2009 and 2005 respectively, their first win over the New York Giants since 2003 (which was also Miami's first ever home win over the Giants), and finally their first win in Caesars Superdome since 1986. The Dolphins also swept the New York Jets in back-to-back years for the first time since the 1996 and 1997 seasons, swept the New England Patriots for the first time since 2000, and had consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2002–2003. However in a surprise move and due to alleged conflicts with both the roster and front office, owner Stephen M. Ross dismissed head coach Brian Flores on January 10, 2022.[3]

Offseason and training camp

On January 5, 2021, Dolphins' offensive coordinator Chan Gailey announced his resignation.[4] On February 2, the Dolphins announced coaches Eric Studesville and George Godsey would share the offensive coordinator position for the upcoming 2021 season.[5]

On May 25, 2021, the NFL announced training camp for all teams will commence on July 27. This will mark the first time the Dolphins have training camp at the new training facility adjacent to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.[6]

On May 26, Tua Tagovailoa, when reflecting on the 2020 season, said he wasn't comfortable calling plays and he didn't know the playbook really well. He added he feels much more comfortable now.[7] On June 15, during the first day of minicamp and during a heavy downpour of rain, Tagovailoa threw five interceptions. He explained later that during minicamp the team had decided to be more aggressive with riskier throws to see what would happen and that they can now learn from the results.[8]

Atlanta Falcons' head coach Arthur Smith announced his team would hold joint practices with the Miami Dolphins sometime around August 21 at Hard Rock Stadium.[9]

On July 27, 2021, All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard officially requested a trade from the Dolphins over a months-long contract dispute. Despite this, just twelve days later on August 8, 2021, the Dolphins agreed to restructure the cornerback's contract. The deal adds more guaranteed money and incentives, possibly making his payout over $16.285 million.[10]

Draft

2021 Miami Dolphins Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
16 Jaylen WaddleWRAlabamafrom Philadelphia
18 Jaelan PhillipsOLBMiami
236 Jevon HollandFSOregon
42 Liam EichenbergOTNotre Damefrom New York
381 Hunter LongTEBoston Collegefrom San Francisco
7231 Larnel ColemanOTUMass
244 Gerrid DoaksRBCincinnatifrom Washington

Staff

2021 Miami Dolphins staff

Front office

  • Chairman/managing general partner – Stephen Ross
  • Vice chairman/partner – Bruce Beal
  • Vice chairman – Jorge Pérez
  • Vice chairman – Matt Higgins
  • Vice chairman, president, and CEO – Tom Garfinkel
  • General manager – Chris Grier
  • Assistant general manager – Marvin Allen
  • Vice president, football administration – Brandon Shore
  • Senior vice president, chief financial officer – Chris Clements
  • Senior personnel executive – Reggie McKenzie
  • Co-director, player personnel – Adam Engroff
  • Co-director, player personnel – Anthony Hunt
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Matt Winston
  • Special advisor to the vice chairman, president, and CEO – Dan Marino

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Josh Boyer
  • Defensive line – Austin Clark
  • Linebackers – Anthony Campanile
  • Outside linebackers – Rob Leonard
  • Defensive backs – Gerald Alexander
  • Cornerbacks – Charles Burks
  • Assistant defensive backs – Curt Kuntz

Special teams coaches

  • Assistant special teams – Brendan Farrell

Support staff

  • Assistant to the head coach – Lance Bennett
  • Coaching assistant – Steve Ferentz
  • Coaching assistant – Steven Gregory
  • Coaching assistant – Kenyon Jackson
  • Coaching assistant – Tyler Murphy
  • Coaching assistant – Erick Wren
  • Quality control – Jordan Salkin
  • Quality control – Kolby Smith

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dave Puloka
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Jim Arthur
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Jimmy Mangiero

Final roster

2021 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 52 active, 12 inactive, 15 practice squad (+3 exempt)

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 14 at Chicago Bears L 13–20 0–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 August 21 Atlanta Falcons W 37–17 1–1 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
3 August 29 at Cincinnati Bengals W 29–26 2–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Dolphins' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 at New England Patriots W 17–16 1–0 Gillette Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Buffalo Bills L 0–35 1–1 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
3 September 26 at Las Vegas Raiders L 28–31 (OT) 1–2 Allegiant Stadium Recap
4 October 3 Indianapolis Colts L 17–27 1–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
5 October 10 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–45 1–4 Raymond James Stadium Recap
6 October 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 20–23 1–5 United Kingdom Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) Recap
7 October 24 Atlanta Falcons L 28–30 1–6 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
8 October 31 at Buffalo Bills L 11–26 1–7 Highmark Stadium Recap
9 November 7 Houston Texans W 17–9 2–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
10 November 11 Baltimore Ravens W 22–10 3–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
11 November 21 at New York Jets W 24–17 4–7 MetLife Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Carolina Panthers W 33–10 5–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
13 December 5 New York Giants W 20–9 6–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
14 Bye
15 December 19 New York Jets W 31–24 7–7 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
16 December 27 at New Orleans Saints W 20–3 8–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
17 January 2 at Tennessee Titans L 3–34 8–8 Nissan Stadium Recap
18 January 9 New England Patriots W 33–24 9–8 Hard Rock Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at New England Patriots

Week 1: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 3 7017
Patriots 0 10 3316

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

The Dolphins take sole possession of first place in the AFC East with this win as they improved to 1–0, their first such start since 2018. It was also the first time since 2017 that the Patriots had lost a season opener. Head coach Brian Flores also became the first Dolphins head coach since Don Shula to beat New England multiple times in Foxboro. The win was secured when Damien Harris fumbled the ball with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter and Miami ran out the clock.

Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 2: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 14 0 71435
Dolphins 0 0 000

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Despite forcing two turnovers to extend their streak of games with takeaways to 24, the Dolphins suffered their worst loss to the Bills with a 35–0 shutout by Buffalo. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a rib injury in the first quarter, forcing backup Jacoby Brissett to finish the game in his stead.[11]

Week 3: at Las Vegas Raiders

Week 3: Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Dolphins 14 0 011328
Raiders 2 10 76631

at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

Game information

Week 4: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week 4: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 101027
Dolphins 3 0 01417

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 5: Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 10 0 7017
Buccaneers 7 17 02145

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Week 6: at Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL London games

Week 6: Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 6 0720
Jaguars 3 7 7623

at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m. BST/9:30 a.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 61 °F (16 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,784
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 13 71030
Dolphins 7 0 71428

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

The Dolphins trailed 27–14 at the start of the 4th quarter and 2 touchdowns were not enough to secure the win.


Week 8: at Buffalo Bills

Week 8: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 3 0811
Bills 3 0 71626

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Week 9: vs. Houston Texans

Week 9: Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 6 039
Dolphins 7 10 0017

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,232
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 10: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 0 0710
Dolphins 0 6 01622

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Game information

Week 11: at New York Jets

Week 11: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 0 71024
Jets 7 0 7317

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,303
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 12: Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 3 0010
Dolphins 7 14 6633

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,389
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: vs. New York Giants

Week 13: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 3 339
Dolphins 0 10 01020

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly sunny, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,898
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Dolphins defeated the Giants at home for the first time in franchise history, and defeated them for the first time since 2003. The 2021 Dolphins also became the first team since the 1994 Giants to win at least 5 straight games after losing 7 in a row. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa became the first Dolphins quarterback since Dan Marino in 1994 to throw at least 21 completions in the first half of a game.

Week 15: vs. New York Jets

Week 15: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 10 7 0724
Dolphins 0 10 71431

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,035
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was the Dolphins' first time since 1997 that they swept the Jets in back-to-back years.

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week 16: Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 10 0 7320
Saints 0 3 003

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the win against a depleted Saints team who had 20 players on their IL, the Dolphins improved to 8–7, and became the first team in NFL history to win 7 straight games after losing 7 straight games. This was their first 7-game winning streak since 1985, during the Don Shula and Dan Marino era and their first win over the Saints since 2005. It was also their first road win over the Saints since 1986. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught 10 receptions, the most by a rookie wide receiver in a single Monday Night game since Jerry Rice in 1985.

Week 17: at Tennessee Titans

Week 17: Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 3 003
Titans 7 10 01734

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 36 °F (2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,091
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill's first time playing his former team since the Dolphins traded him following the 2018 season. Tannehill had played for the Dolphins from 2012–2018 as their primary starter aside from missing the 2017 season due a torn ACL he suffered during the preseason that year. The Dolphins' seven-game win streak was snapped by the 34–3 loss and failed to win 8 games in a row for the first time since 1984; because of this and the Buffalo Bills beating and eliminating the Atlanta Falcons and clinching playoff berth, the New England Patriots blowing out the Jacksonville Jaguars and clinching playoff berth, the Las Vegas Raiders beating the Indianapolis Colts, and the Los Angeles Chargers beating the Denver Broncos, the Dolphins missed the playoffs for the fifth season in a row.[2] Additionally, the Chargers win also crushed all playoff hopes for the Denver Broncos, as well as the Cleveland Browns, who were scheduled to kick off Sunday Night Football later that evening.

Week 18: vs. New England Patriots

Week 18: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 7 31424
Dolphins 14 3 7933

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: January 9
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 66,514
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Jay Feely and Jenny Dell
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was the Dolphins' first sweep of the Patriots since 2000 and their second under Bill Belichick's tenure. It was also first time since the 2002 and 2003 seasons that the Dolphins had clinched back-to-back winning seasons. Recording his 102nd reception early in the 1st quarter, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle became the all-time leader in receptions caught by a rookie wide receiver, surpassing Anquan Boldin, whom caught 101 receptions in his 2003 rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals. With the win, the Dolphins finished the season with a record of 9–8, but head coach Brian Flores was dismissed the next day.

Standings

Division

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Buffalo Bills 11 6 0 .647 5–1 7–5 483 289 W4
(6) New England Patriots 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 462 303 L1
Miami Dolphins 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 341 373 W1
New York Jets 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 310 504 L2

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[lower-alpha 1] Tennessee Titans South 12 5 0 .706 5–1 8–4 .472 .480 W3
2[lower-alpha 1] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 7–5 .538 .517 W1
3 Buffalo Bills East 11 6 0 .647 5–1 7–5 .472 .428 W4
4 Cincinnati Bengals North 10 7 0 .588 4–2 8–4 .472 .462 L1
Wild cards
5[lower-alpha 2] Las Vegas Raiders West 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .510 .515 W4
6[lower-alpha 2] New England Patriots East 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .481 .394 L1
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 7 1 .559 4–2 7–5 .521 .490 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .495 .431 L2
9[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Miami Dolphins East 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .464 .379 W1
10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 8 0 .529 3–3 6–6 .510 .500 L1
11[lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 .514 .415 W1
12[lower-alpha 5] Baltimore Ravens North 8 9 0 .471 1–5 5–7 .531 .460 L6
13 Denver Broncos West 7 10 0 .412 1–5 3–9 .484 .357 L4
14[lower-alpha 6] New York Jets East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 .512 .426 L2
15[lower-alpha 6] Houston Texans South 4 13 0 .235 3–3 4–8 .498 .397 L2
16 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 14 0 .176 1–5 3–9 .512 .569 W1
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 7]
  1. 1 2 Tennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 Las Vegas finished ahead of New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
  3. 1 2 3 Indianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  4. 1 2 Miami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
  5. 1 2 Cleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
  6. 1 2 NY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  7. ↑ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ↑ @AdamSchefter (December 28, 2021). "Dolphins are now the first team in NFL history to have both a seven-game winning streak and a seven-game losing streak in the same season" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. 1 2 "The Dolphins have officially been eliminated from the postseason". Dolphins Wire. January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ Smith, Michael David (January 10, 2022). "Dolphins fire Brian Flores". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  4. ↑ Patra, Kevin. "Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey resigns after one season". nfl.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. ↑ Poupart, Alain. "Reports: Dolphins Going With Co-offensive coordinators". si.com. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  6. ↑ Poupart, Alain. "Training Camp Details Coming Into Focus". si.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. ↑ Simmons, Myles. "Tua Tagovailoa admits he didn't know playbook well enough as a rookie". nbcsports.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa throws 5 interceptions at Tuesday's minicamp practice". usatoday.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ Bair, Scott. "Joint practices with Dolphins should help Falcons progress". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  10. ↑ Alper, Josh. "Xavien Howard, Dolphins agree on restructured contract". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "The Dolphins' big offensive line investment left them with 6 sacks, one hurt QB vs. Bills". www.msn.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
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